World

Mozambique arrests another journalist in jihadist-hit north

Mozambique authorities have detained a journalist working in a northern region that has been rocked by a jihadist insurgency، a media watchdog said Wednesday، the third such arrest in as many months.

Germano Daniel Adriano، who works for a local radio and television broadcaster، Radio e Televisao Macomia، was arrested on Tuesday، the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) said in a statement، giving no further details.

MISA expressed "serious concerns about this wave of arbitrary arrests، including the involvement of the military in interrogations that take place in the absence of lawyers".

Amade Abubacar، who works for the state-owned Comunitaria Nacedje de Macomia radio and television in northern Cabo Delgado province، has been detained since January 5 on charges of espionage.

Abubacar was seized by police at a bus stop while conducting interviews and taking photographs of people fleeing militant attacks.

In December، the military arrested internationally-acclaimed investigative reporter Estacio Valoi in the same province، but released him without charge two days later.

Since October 2017، Islamist fighters have terrorised remote communities in the gas-rich، Muslim-majority Cabo Delgado region، killing around 200 people and forcing thousands from their homes.

Macomia is one of the areas worst hit by the insurgency.

Rights groups have accused security forces waging the fight against the jihadists of serious abuses، including summary executions and arbitrary detention.